Chargers Notebook: Chargers get extension in hopes of lifting blackout

SAN DIEGO -- The Chargers received a 24-hour extension from the
NFL on Thursday to erase Sunday's TV blackout of their game with
the Raiders. About 3,100 general admission seats must be sold by
1:15 p.m. today to reach the blackout-lifting number of 56,432.

"We're still educating people on changing their ticket-buying
habits," said Ken Derrett, the Chargers' vice president and chief
marketing officer.

For the previous seven seasons, Chargers home games were
televised thanks to the ticket guarantee the team had with the city
of San Diego. But this year, all three home games have been blacked
out.

Some speculate KFMB-TV, the local CBS affiliate that broadcasts
Chargers games, will step in and buy the remaining tickets.

"This is a business, and we're not in the business to lose
money,"said station general manager Ed Trimble. "Everything depends
on the number of tickets and the price. Obviously, we would love to
show this game."

The last time a Raiders-Chargers game was blacked out was in
1977.

Check, please

Chargers linebacker Randall Godfrey was fined $5,000 by the NFL
for his face-mask penalty in Sunday's game at Carolina. He plans to
appeal.

Center Nick Hardwick was fined an undisclosed amount for
unnecessary roughness from the same game.

LB Steve Foley (knee) returned to practice Thursday. Those not
working were RBs LaDainian Tomlinson (groin) and Jesse Chatman
(toe), CB Drayton Florence (ankle) and WR/PR Tim Dwight (toe). All
five are expected to play on Sunday, although Florence still is
limping noticeably. … Blackout or no blackout, the Chargers are
expecting their biggest crowd of the season. The team is urging
fans to take public transportation or arrive early. The parking lot
opens at 6 a.m. and is expected to close at noon. The stadium gates
will open at 10 a.m., one hour earlier than normal.